Trump reiterates disputed 9/11 rescue claim as anniversary approaches

Donald Trump said that he descended to the World Trade Center wreckage the day after the September 11 attacks, claiming he brought a sizable team of construction workers to help. He has made similar, loosely dated statements in 2019 and 2021, but none have been corroborated. Former New York Fire Department deputy chief Richard Alles, who was present at a 2019 ceremony, said he never saw Trump at the site, and biographer Timothy O’Brien pointed out the Trump Organization had only about a dozen employees at the time, casting doubt on the logistics of the claim.

Earlier, Trump’s call to WWOR-TV referenced his building at 40 Wall Street, incorrectly asserting it became the tallest after the towers fell. He also alleged witnessing people jump from the towers and seeing “thousands” of Muslim celebrators, claims lacking evidence. As the 25th anniversary approaches, Trump will attend a Pentagon event while Vice President JD Vance represents him at the New York memorial. The statements have drawn criticism for politicizing a national tragedy.